﻿FAQs for Clinicians﻿

Do you have questions about Trigger Point Dry Needling? We're here to help you understand this effective technique for treating chronic pain and severe injury.

What is Dry Needling?

Dry Needling involves multiple advances of a fine filament needle into the muscle in the region of a "Trigger Point'. The aim of Dry Needling is to achieve a local twitch response to release muscle tension and pain. Dry needling is an effective treatment for chronic pain of neuropathic origin with very few side effects. This technique is unequalled in finding and eliminating neuromuscular dysfunction that leads to pain and functional deficits.

The needle used is very thin and most subjects do not even feel it penetrate the skin. A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of this needle. However if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp -'the twitch response'. The patient may also feel a reproduction of "their" pain which is a helpful diagnostic indicator for the practitioner attempting to diagnose the cause of the patient's symptoms.

Patients soon learn to recognise and even welcome this sensation as it results in deactivating the trigger point, reducing pain and restoring normal length function to the involved muscle.

What qualifications do I need to take this course and what previous experiences are essential?

Prior knowledge or experience of Dry Needling is not essential for successful completion of the Introductory course. However, having completed the basic courses previously available in your region will be of benefit.

These courses are ideal for graduates of schools of Physiotherapy, Osteopathy and Chiropractic. This course is also ideal for practitioners who have experience in the evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic pain disorders as well as those clinicians who are seeking alternative, immediate and effective treatment options for the athletic population.

Are these courses Accredited?

GEMt courses are endorsed by Osteopathy Australia (OA) and are accepted for CPD points with both the OA and Chiropractic (CAA) associations, as well as Massage and Myotherapy.

Does this course count toward Continuing Education Units?

Physiotherapists:The following hours can be claimed per course:Level 1 Course: 20.5 hours totalLevel 2 Course:14.75 hours totalLevel 3 Course: 13.5 hours totalCurrently Physiotherapists need to maintain a minimum of 20 hours of CPD per annum. For further information, please see the link: http://www.physiotherapyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx(click on Physiotherapy Continuing Professional Development Registration Standard at the top- either pdf or word document)

Osteopaths:The Level 1, 2 and 3 GEMt courses are an Osteopathy Australia Endorsed Course.The following hours can be claimed per course:Level 1 Course: 20.5 hours totalLevel 2 Course: 14.75 hours totalLevel 3 Course: 13.5 hours totalCurrently Osteopaths need to maintain a minimum of 25 hours of CPD per annum.​For further information, please see the link: http://www.osteopathyboard.gov.au/Registration-Standards.aspx(click on Continuing Professional Development Registration Standard at the top- either pdf or word document)

Chiropractors:All GEMt courses have been assessed by the Chiropractors’ Association of Australia (National) Ltd, a body recognized by the Chiropractic Board of Australia, and allocated the following Formal Learning Activity Hours per course:Level 1 Course: 20.5 hours totalLevel 2 Course: 13 hours totalLevel 3 Course: 12.5 hours totalCurrently Chiropractors need to maintain a minimum of 25 hours of CPD per annum.For further information, please see the link: http://www.chiropracticboard.gov.au/Registration-standards.aspx(click on Continuing Professional Development Registration Standard at the top- either pdf or word document)

Am I immediately able to use the technique on patients after I complete the Introductory course successfully?

Successful completion of the Introductory course will provide you with skills and knowledge to begin utilizing the treatment immediately. If you plan to take the Advanced course we strongly recommend that you are utilising dry needling clinically for a minimum of 3 months. There are no other time line restrictions for registering for the Advanced course.

What are some of the conditions can I treat after I complete these courses?

he focus of the Introductory course is treatment for pain management and sport related injuries. Participants successfully completing the Introductory and Advanced courses will be able to treat pain and dysfunction originating from myofascial active trigger points that can lead to conditions such as; tendonopathies, movement impairments and other orthopaedic and sporting conditions of the following areas:

INTRO/INTERMEDIATE:

Hip

Lumbar Spine

Thigh

Cervical Spine

Shoulder

Upper & Lower Extremity

ADVANCED:

Advanced Hip

Advanced Lumbar Spine

TMJ/Face

Advanced Cervical Spine

Thoracic Spine

Advanced Upper & Lower Extremity

The most common cause of nerve irritation and neuropathic pain is underlying spinal degeneration (i.e. spondylosis of the spine), which can be a result of trauma and/or normal wear and tear. Spondylosis irritates the nerve root and leads to neuropathy which can result in muscle shortening. This process leads to pain and dysfunction in many common acute and chronic conditions that practitioners see in every day practice. The introduction of a dry needle into the active trigger sites of these muscles can provide enormous relief of symptoms.

Dry Needling may also be used for acute and chronic sporting injuries such as:

Muscular haematomas

Muscle tears

Compartment syndrome

Medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints)

Rotator cuff injuries

Tennis/golfers elbow

The application of Dry Needling techniques for the above conditions will be demonstrated during these courses. In the Advanced courses, participants will be instructed in advanced techniques that require prior knowledge of the skills and concepts taught in our GEMt Introductory course.

Dry Needling can also be used for spinal conditions where the underlying pathology may have triggered a movement disorder. This can result in the presence of reduced ROM or pain due to abnormal muscle tone or spasms. Such conditions may include:

Piriformis syndrome

Cervico-genic headaches

Sciatica

Hamstring issues

Common lower extremity conditions treated with Dry Needling include:

Patello Femoral Syndrome

Patellar tendonitis

Hamstring Strain

Groin Strain

Shin-splints; Compartment Syndrome

Achilles tendonopathies

Common upper extremity conditions treated with Dry Needling include:

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Medial Epicondylitis (golfers elbow)

Impingement syndromes

Do I have to take both the Introductory and Advanced TDN courses?

Currently Colorado DORA is the only State that requires both Introductory and Advanced to be completed before considering a PT independently able to perform the technique. Therefore, it is optional for Manual Therapists practicing in states other than Colorado to take the Advanced TDN course. You do not have to register for both courses at the same time.

What else do I get for my enrollment fee?

All course participants will be provided with an extensive illustrated course manual describing and depicting all the theory and course material covered during the 2 or 3 day workshops. All participants will also take away a starter pack (Introductory) inclusive of a 'sharps container' and quality Sensei needles allowing you to effectively administer Dry Needling in your practice immediately following the completion of the course.

Advanced participants will receive a comprehensive manual for advanced techniques.

You will also be provided with pre-reading material to prepare you for the course.

Supplies used for TDN and therapy treatment will also be available for purchase at the end of the course and through our website.

GEMt courses boast having the best cuisine available for its course participants. Healthy food for a healthy mind!

How and where do I get the supplies I'll need to perform TDN treatment?

The main product you will need to perform TDN is filament needles. You will receive a starter pack of needles when you attend the course. At the completion of the course there will be the opportunity to purchase more needles or you can visit our website under 'products', members of GEMt will access discounts on supplies from our site. At the time of the course we will also provide you with detailed contact information for the company that sponsored the needle supply for our courses and you can then order directly through them at a discounted rate. There are some other optional products that can aide in the technique which will also be available for purchase.

Will I be qualified to use TDN with competence after this course?

The Introductory dry needling course is designed to prepare the course participant to practice dry needling immediately upon returning to the clinic Monday morning. Theoretical and practical testing will be administered during the final day of all courses and participants will be expected to display an appropriate level of competency prior to receiving their course certificate.

How many are accepted into each course?

Participants in all courses work in pairs allowing the instructors to work with and supervise no more than four groups each. A minimum of 12-14 participants are required for venues to proceed; numbers usually vary between 20 to 30 for our Introductory courses and 15‐20 for Advanced.

Should a course not reach its minimum quota (which may vary per venue) then GEMt will refund all course fees in full. Note for International courses, all course fees shall be paid to GEMt in Australian Dollars (AUD). In the unfortunate event of a course being cancelled GEMt is obliged to refund the course fees in AUD, GEMt cannot be held responsible for fluctuations in exchange rates.GEMt will be responsible for bank transfer fees applied at this end of the transfer.

What prerequisites do I need to take the Introductory Course?

These courses are ideally suited to therapists with a strong manual background in their learning and treatment approach.

Outside of the US these courses are recommended for graduates of: Physiotherapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractors and Physicians who specialise in manual therapy.

In the US, Doctors of Osteopathy, Medical Doctors and Physical therapists (in states where dry needling is part of the scope of practice) will greatly benefit from these courses.

It is imperative that participants have a minimum of 2 years clinical experience as a manual therapist OR submit a resume/CV detailing significant evidence of continuing education in manually based course work.